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Anki text file vs APKG: which NotebookLM flashcard export?
Short answer
Both put NotebookLM flashcards into Anki. The tab-separated text file is free and imports through File, Import, where you confirm which column is the front and which is the back. The .apkg package is a finished deck that opens with a double-click and needs no mapping; it requires Ultra Exporter Pro.
Side by side
| Anki text (.txt, tab-separated) | Anki package (.apkg) | |
|---|---|---|
| Plan | Free, no daily quota | Pro |
| Import steps | File, Import, check field mapping | Double-click the file |
| Deck name and note type | Chosen during import | Included in the package |
| Editing before import | Easy in any text editor or spreadsheet | Edit inside Anki after import |
| Mobile | Import on desktop, then sync | Opens directly in the mobile apps |
Which to choose
- Choose Anki text (.txt, tab-separated) if you are comfortable with the Anki import dialog, or want to edit the cards in a spreadsheet first.
- Choose Anki package (.apkg) if you want the fastest route, share decks with classmates, or import on a phone.
Free or Pro?
The basics are free; the advanced options listed on this page need Ultra Exporter Pro. Pro covers the extension only; it does not include a Google subscription or raise NotebookLM's own limits. Current prices are on the pricing page.
Frequently asked questions
Anki text (.txt, tab-separated) or Anki package (.apkg): which is better?
Neither in general. Choose Anki text (.txt, tab-separated) if you are comfortable with the Anki import dialog, or want to edit the cards in a spreadsheet first. Choose Anki package (.apkg) if you want the fastest route, share decks with classmates, or import on a phone.
Do both keep the same cards?
Yes. The question and answer text is identical; only the container differs.
Related guides
How to export NotebookLM flashcards to Anki. You get tab-separated text that Anki imports: one card per line, front and back in separate fields.
How to export NotebookLM flashcards to an Anki deck. You get a native Anki deck file. Double-click it or import it in a compatible Anki client and the cards.
Yes, NotebookLM flashcards can go into Anki. NotebookLM Ultra Exporter exports a deck as Anki-importable tab-separated text for free, with no daily quota.
Both import a NotebookLM quiz into the Moodle question bank, and both are free exports. GIFT is a compact text format you can read and fix by hand.
NotebookLM flashcards can go to either for free. Anki is a spaced-repetition app that schedules each card for long-term memory and works offline.
An image PPTX keeps the exact look NotebookLM generated, but every slide is one picture and its text cannot be changed.
Both carry a NotebookLM source list into a reference manager. BibTeX is the native format of LaTeX and Overleaf and is read by Zotero, JabRef and Paperpile.
A ZIP archive is a one-off snapshot of a NotebookLM notebook in a single file; one full archive is free.